Sébastien Loeb unveils 2019 Dakar Rally challenger

Sébastien Loeb headed to the Netherlands this weekend to debut his Peugeot 3008 DKR that he will be taking on the 2019 Dakar Rally with.

The PH Sport run private entry will be backed by Red Bull as Loeb bids to become the first privateer since Jean-Louis Schlesser in 2000 to win the event outright.

Loeb headed to the Red Bull Knock Out event on Scheveningen beach in The Hague as the 2018 World Enduro Super Series came to an end.

Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

The French rally legend revealed the motivation behind his private entry after his former team-mates unveiled their entry with the factory Mini squad.

“When I came back from the World RX of the United States, I could not sleep with the jet lag.” said Loeb. “I was browsing social media and I came across a video of MINI preparing for the Dakar so I said to myself, ‘It could be nice to go play with them!’

Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

“At that moment I did not suspect that Peugeot was going to withdraw from WRX, so at least I will have a race in 2019!”

“Going there without any pressure really tempted me and motivates me! To be an outsider has not happened to me often in my career and it is a feeling that I like for this adventure. We go, above all, to have fun.”

Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Checkered Flag who grew up visiting race circuits around the UK also a freelance motorsport PR officer. Outside of motorsport a lover of music, photography, NBA and NFL.